Except instead of a tired franchise long removed from it’s premium original, this new version of Photoshop puts more than lipstick on this software.[photopress:ps_cs4_bxshot_3in.jpg,full,centered]

Today Adobe announced the new line of creative suites for the professional market, although the advanced amateur will be able to use them all. Photoshop CS4 and CS4 Extended were unveiled this morning.

In a year where they have been introducing massive moves forward in digital imaging for every photographer with a range from the free Photoshop.com online, to Photoshop Elements, we get the long awaited upgrade to a mainstay product, CS4.

But is it a huge move forward?

Well, as the world turns, and the separate silos of web, flash, video, and print converge in all of our visual life, with of course mobile becoming a major factor. Adobe has kept step with that, as seen in the last round of Creative Suite products.

So let’s take a look, and see what some of the new features are in this version, specifically CS4 and CS4 Extended. The suite discussion will happen at a later date.

Essentially, there are improvements to your working toolbox that take into consideration the comments of those who use Photoshop daily.

You will be able to resize and scale images with a simple mouse drag. 2 steps less work. And it’ll make your layouts easier to format. We saw this awhile back in Beta and now it’s here for you in a simple tool. Imagine putting your photographs into an appropriate medium like a mobile device, and having the image translate. (Think photobooks, too)
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Canvas Rotation lets you work on an image from any angle. As someone who uses a Wacom tablet, this is a sweet improvement.
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Bridge has become faster in regards to transferring your images to Photoshop and will display your visual work in new ways for them, but common for Apple uses- the Carousel mode. (By the way, did anyone see the Mad Men episode when Don Draper pitches Kodak on the Carousel name? Brilliant)

And there is an Adjustment Panel that is fricking amazing. taking some of the cues from Lightroom 2, this ability to work on the image directly with this uncluttered set of tools is a major workflow help.
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And of course the CS4 Extended version has lots more features that honestly, may only excite the true working pro.

All in all, Adobe once again, proves why they are the industry standard. The dedication to constantly improving your digital imagery life takes another huge step.

We’ll be working out the details with a hands on look on this soon. We’ve found there are always discoveries when the product is put into a real world run through.

The pricing is not that different than the last version- $699 for the CS4 full product, and $999. For the extended.
The upgrade will be $199.00

Remember, you use this product constantly. The upgrade cost is truly short stroke money to make your workflow better. True?

Want to see more and how it relates to what you do?
Check out Adobe TV.